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eharp
2284 posts
Jul 27, 2015
8:31 PM
I realized today that I don't know how to set a harmonica amp.
Should the amp be turned all the way up and I control all the volume with the mic?
Or is it the other way around?

I just got a Memphis Mini and their Delay Pedal.
But I have a couple of cheaper/smaller amps that I may be able to transfer this info to.


And what about the mics?
I have several but some don't sound as good/ loud as others.
My current mics are a Shure 545(?) that got modded, Jt-30 from Johnny Ace?, An Ultimized from BlowsMeAway, Bottle 'O Blues and a Green Bullet. I have more but they aint that good with ANYTHING.

Anybody have some advice?

Also, it is supposed to be loud, right?
Well, loud is a relative term.
If the amp and mic are maxed, should my ears be bleeding in a 10'x10' room?
jpmcbride
100 posts
Jul 27, 2015
9:34 PM
e,

YES! A 6W tube amp in a 10x10 room will make your ears bleed!

If you're playing with a group (band or jam) put your volume control on the mic at about 3/4 then set the amp volume to be heard. This way you have some room to turn up the mic to solo, or turn it down to comp.

As far as mic and amp combinations, just try all of them and figure out what you like. Maybe a couple sound good for different things. One may be dirtier, the other cleaner. Different sounds for different situations. Let your ears be the guide.



----------
Jim McBride
www.bottleoblues.com
jpmcbride
101 posts
Jul 27, 2015
9:36 PM
You have a harp friendly amp so you have some leeway with the tone control. Start with it down then turn up until it sounds good to you, or until feedback starts. This will vary from mic to mic.


----------
Jim McBride
www.bottleoblues.com
Owen Evans
68 posts
Jul 28, 2015
8:48 AM
@eharp
Hey I have the same MM amp & Delay pedal.

1] When playing without the PA, the volume on the MM can comfortably go to 7 and you can adjust the Tone to suit the room. I start at around 5-6 and really don't stray much from that (my taste). Turn your mic up to a level that gets you heard in the room and leave something for later, when the band turns up their amps & you know they will, so you can still be heard.
Hope this helps.

2] For line out, here's what Rick suggests for the PA:
It's simple, and it gives you a huge lush sound with no feedback: A little signal to the monitors, none to the effects, Highs and Mids rolled off, Lows boosted. That's all there is to it.

The settings on the amp were Volume on 5 and Tone on 5.

Mackie 808 PA Mixer
Volume at 4.5
Input Level at 5.5
Low at 8.0 (80 Hz)
Mid at 3.0 (2.5 kHz)
Hi at 3.0 (12 Khz)
EFX at 0.5
Monitors at 0.5
Memphis Mini set at 5 & 5 (Tone & Volume)

3] Other suggestions for a line out to a PA:

a] It's simple, and it gives you a huge lush sound with no feedback: A little signal to the monitors, none to the effects, Highs and Mids rolled off, Lows boosted. That's all there is to it.

The settings on the amp were Volume on 5 and Tone on 5.

Volume on main PA channel are at 5.5 & Normal.
Lows were cranked up to 7.
Mids turned down to 4
Hi’s turned down to 4
No EFX
Monitors at 3.5
-Rick Davis


b] Less is more!
25% on the PA and the amp at 5-6 for Tone and 7 for the volume.
Bass is set at 75%
Treble is reduced to 25%
All the rest is straight up.
30% volume offers a dramatic difference in sound.
The sound is dependent upon hand cupping techniques and closing off the air while breathing technique is key.
-Ronnie Shellist
TetonJohn
255 posts
Jul 28, 2015
10:44 AM
You asked:
"Should the amp be turned all the way up and I control all the volume with the mic?
Or is it the other way around?"

No rules! Experiment, try it both ways, see what you learn, trust yourself!
Turn the amp all the way up w/mike down, try it out, how does it sound? Is it too hard to control feedback from the microphone? Okay, try 3/4 on the amp; how does it sound; is it manageable; is there room to turn up if needed? Try it the other way -- mike up, amp down. Have fun! Trust yourself! Nothing to break (but eardrums).
Gipsy
168 posts
Jul 29, 2015
11:35 PM
Whilst playing around try to record the results. Sometimes what you hear will be mainly your harp acoustically ( especially likely if you have open cover plates and a cup that could improve ). By recording the sounds from the amp you'll hear what the amplified sound you produce is really like. Then make your decision.


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